' Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again. '
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Friends and family often asked how I maintain my sanity and calm living in the midst of busy London, how I keep up my energy and inspiration teaching year after year. I rest... a lot! Over time (with pitfalls every now and then), I learned to recognise when I am short, when people around me begin to feel uneasy, that's where I would double check on my 'rest' barometer. Equally during those times when I hear myself 'This is not the best of me, I am not being myself.'.
So in organising my calendar for the year in the last few weeks, I set aside periodic 'me-time' for personal retreat, for rest, for deep reflection and extended meditation. We all need regular scheduled 'me-time', to extract ourselves from the rat race momentarily, to being away from daily commitments, duties and responsibilities, to reset and reflect before resuming the multiple roles we take on.
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Questions for reflection:
Would you consider scheduling 'me-time', to invest in your well being and sanity?
What would be your plan to achieve this? Know that it is a choice... yours.

​Reflecting on my new year...
This year, this day, this moment is very special and it will not repeat itself in this life time.
Having just watched the movie 'Jupiter Ascending', a quote strike my heart...
'Time is the single most precious commodity in the universe.'
Therefore choose to live with awareness, to consciously make choices in life that support life's purpose. For me, appreciating and committing time on the mat, time serving yoga, time for loved ones and my sangha, time to forgive myself and others, time to rekindle broken relationships. A resolution to choose wisely where and how I invest my time and energy today. We all have this innate strength and capacity, only if we are willing and open to it. 

Questions for reflection:
How / what do you spend most of your time? Would you like to have more or less of this in your life?
Is there anything you would like to invest more time / energy moving forward? 

Now... this is completely new to me. Not written a blog in my life. I am attempting... I am jumping off the cliff, to try something out of my comfort zone. At least I have an intention, to share, to be honest, to trust, and most importantly to connect with you through conversation and comments here.

It is often our preference to stay where we are, to be within familiar grounds, which provides consistency, security and comfort. I am curious. I open my heart and mind this morning, and find myself wondering how could I connect with a wider community, to share yoga and life, to offer my little self and SELF.

Today's lesson: Jump... jump off the cliff, try something new, break out of your comfort zone, open your heart and trust. Taste that purple drink from the smoothie bar, offer a hot drink to the homeless on the street instead of money, prepare your favourite dish and offer it to your neighbour, send your mum a gratitude card on your birthday, write a blog if you have not given it a try, give your mother-in-law a heart warming big hug and kiss... ok let's leave it at that. Let's jump, let's do this together!